Agustin Gomez set himself on fire in Chiapas on Friday in order to demand the release of his imprisoned uncle Florentino Gomez who is currently serving a six-month sentence at Amate Prison, according to local reports.

Gomez doused himself in gasoline, and after lying on the ground in front of the Chiapas Congress building, a man ignited his jumper. After burning for around 30 seconds, his family and bystanders extinguished the fire using sand and blankets. An ambulance arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to take the severely burnt man to hospital.

Gomez has been on hunger strike for 20 days in front of the state congress building to protest his uncle's incarceration. His uncle stands accused of cattle rustling, a charge which the family claim was fabricated by the state government.

Agustin Gomez set himself on fire in Chiapas on Friday in order to demand the release of his imprisoned uncle Florentino Gomez who is currently serving a six-month sentence at Amate Prison, according to local reports.

Gomez doused himself in gasoline, and after lying on the ground in front of the Chiapas Congress building, a man ignited his jumper. After burning for around 30 seconds, his family and bystanders extinguished the fire using sand and blankets. An ambulance arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to take the severely burnt man to hospital.

Gomez has been on hunger strike for 20 days in front of the state congress building to protest his uncle's incarceration. His uncle stands accused of cattle rustling, a charge which the family claim was fabricated by the state government.